Parsons May Have Right Touch to Lead
AOL Through AT&T Broadband Talks

Richard Parsons knows the value of discretion, a quality that could advance the cause of AOL Time Warner Inc.'s bid for AT&T's cable business.

When Time Warner Cable fought a heated battle with Walt Disney Co. last year, the company dispatched Mr. Parsons to cool tensions. Cable customers were furious and regulators concerned about Time Warner's decision to yank Disney-owned ABC stations off cable systems in New York and several other major cities. After Time Warner Cable executives tried to play hardball with ABC, Mr....